Agricultural Sector Highest Contributor To Nigeria’s GDP—FG

The Federal Government on Monday said that despite the insecurity in the economy, the agricultural sector still remains the highest contributor to the Gross Domestic Product.

It maintained that sustainable seed system makes agricultural revolution sacrosanct in the bid to diversify the economy.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Mohammed Abubakar, said these in a special address, while declaring the SEEDCONNECT AFRICA 2021 Conference and Exhibition open.

The conference with theme ‘Strengthening resilience through Partnership for a Robust Seed System in Nigeria,’ was organised by the National Agricultural Seeds Council, NASC, in Abuja.

According to Abubakar, his ministry is implementing various agricultural policies formulated since 2015 by promoting research applications, reviving extension services, easing input access, strengthening regulatory frameworks, facilitating affordable credits, increasing commodity output, enhancing processing capacity, broadening market access and expanding revenue earnings.

He further stated that seed is the starting point of any agricultural revolution and a panacea for food and nutritional security.

He said: “Recent statistics show that the agricultural sector is the highest contributor (29.9%) to the Nigerian economy. Agriculture in Nigeria is the most important driver to full diversification of our economy, and it must be strengthened.

“The importance of seed in achieving a sustainable Agricultural revolution is sacrosanct. The growth of this sector would be hampered without a proper structured seed system to support the industry.

“Over time, we have agreed that seed is the starting point of any Agricultural revolution and a panacea for food and nutritional security. You will agree with me that Food Security is hinged on seed security, and seed security is hinged on rock-solid seed systems.

“That is why we are building on past policies that rode on seed systems to achieve incredible impact on agricultural development in Nigeria. To fast-track development of Agricultural value chains, improve the efficiency of delivery of seeds and other agri inputs, and enhance productivity.”